 Camilla Pedersen celebrates victory at Challenge Fuerteventura(Photo: Challenge Family; click to enlarge) |
The success of this weekend's Challenge Fuerteventura was marked by a remarkable comeback victory, record numbers plus a touch of Formula One. Camilla Pedersen (DEN) and Andreas Dreitz (GER) took the race titles while Jenson Button raced in the age group field.
This was Pedersen's first race since a serious bike crash last year which left her in a coma for a number of weeks. That she was able to race was impressive, that she won shows the drive and determination of a remarkable athlete. She led from the start, exiting the water in 25:42 and also posted the fastest bike split in 2:36:39. Her run was seven minutes slower than second place Eimear Mullan (IRE) who ran a 1:20:29 but was still quick enough to post a convincing win in 4:30:13, just under six minutes ahead of Mullan who crossed the line in 4:36:08. Daniela Sämmler rounded off the women's podium in 4:36:08.
Pedersen celebrated her win with an emphatic, "I'm back!"
In the men's race, Jens Toft (DEN) was first pro out of the water with Dreitz back in fourteenth, but the fastest bike split of the day - 2:19:42 - followed by the fastest half marathon in 1:16:43 put Dreitz at the top of the podium in 4:01:47, followed by Sylvain Sudrie (FRA) in 4:03:20 who had a close battle with strong runner Horst Reichel (GER) who eventually finished just 19 seconds behind Sudrie.
 Andreas Dreitz on his way to victory at Challenge Fuerteventura(Photo: Challenge Family; click to enlarge) |
Jenson Button's presence almost eclipsed that of the professional athletes as the Formula One former world champion received plenty of attention from fans around the course who had travelled to see him compete. Button left the water amongst the pros; then finished the 90km bike leg with no problems, but on the run course he retired from the race due to muscle problems in his leg. The driver arrived on the island on Tuesday to compete in the Challenge Fuerteventura with his triathlon team, Ichiban, because he said that the island "is beautiful" and the course is "tough but spectacular."
For further information, visit www.challengefuerteventura.com.
Results: Challenge Fuerteventura
Pro Men
1. Andreas DREITZ 4:01:47
2. Sylvain SUDRIE 4:03:21
3. Horst REICHEL 4:03:50
Pro Women
1. Camilla PEDERSEN 4:30:13
2. Eimear Maria MULLAN 4:36:08
3. Daniela SAEMMLER 4:36:56
